Mapes & Hansen, 1984

Author(s):Mapes, R. H., Hansen, M. C.
Year:1984
Title:Pennsylvanian shark-cephalopod predation: a case study
Journal:Lethaia
Volume:17
Number:3
Pages:175-183
Abstract

A well‐preserved portion of a body chamber of a coiled nautiloid (taxon uncertain) from the Kendrick Shale (Lower Pennsylvanian) of Floyd County, Kentucky, U.S.A., exhibits three comparatively large, nearly circular punctures and a circular indentation in the shell. These punctures are interpreted as representing an attack on the nautiloid by a cladodontid shark, most likely by the large symmoriid shark, Symmorium reniforme. We conclude that the punctures in the nautiloid body chamber were inflicted by three teeth in a single tooth file in the lower jaw of a specimen of 5. reniforme that was approximately 2.5 meters long. This nautiloid specimen is the first Paleozoic record of a chondrichthyan‐cephalopod/ predator‐prey relationship. We suggest, however, that this relationship was perhaps a common one and that other examples probably exist in collections of late Paleozoic ccphalopods. ?Paleozoic, Pennsylvanian, Symmorium reniforme, cephalopod. predation.

Keywords:Bioerosion, Carboniferous, Cephalopoda, paleontoloogia, Predation, Trace fossils, Vertebrata
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.1984.tb01613.x
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